April 16, 2012 (Røldal, Norway) – Kristin Stoermer Steira and Chris Andre Jespersen were the quickest in Saturday’s Haukelirennet over the 32km freestyle race. Steira won the competition in 1:21.05 and edged out the big Crystal Globe winner Marit Bjoergen and Therese Johaug.

On the men’s sides Chris Andre Jespersen was superior over Sjur Røthe and Martin Johansson.

On Sunday, April 15, an unconventional competition took place in Røldal, Norway. More than 3,000 fans turned out in the mountain resort of Røldal to see an event that combined giant slalom and then 4km free uphill climb.

Some of World’s best cross-country skiers showed up at the start, including Charlotte Kalla, Johaug, Bjoergen, Anders Gloeersen, Oeystein Pettersen, Jean-Marc Gaillard, and Petter Northug Jr.

Organizers reckoned with the advantage cross-country specialists might get, therefore 1-second behind in the giant slalom meant 20 seconds back in the cross-country skiing portion.

Former top alpine skiers Andrinne Flemmen and Lasse Arnesen won the first part of the competition. Right after the alpine leg it was time to change the skiing equipment and climb 4km up with a vertical gain of 240m.

Andrinne Flemmen kept the lead after the alpine section and came in first at the finish. Norwegian youngster Tuva Toftdal came second at 16 seconds back. As expected, Johaug was the fastest climber with 15:39.6.

On the men’s side, Nordic skiing specialists prevailed over alpine skiers as Gloeersen led the way with a 33-sec margin over Nordic Combined athlete, Mikko Kokslien. Chris Andre Jespersen had the fastest climb time of 13:54.8.

Results

Haukelirennet – 32 km free, 14. April 2012

Women
1. Kristin Størmer Steira, IL Forsøk 1:21:05
2. Marit Bjørgen, Rognes IL 1:21:19
3. Therese Johaug, Nansen IL 1:22:48
4. Martine Ek Hagen, BUL IL 1:23:00
5. Charlotte Kalla, IFK Tärendö 1:25:47
6. Pia Sofie Måbø, Stathelle og Omegn IL 1:35:39

Men
1. Chris Jespersen, Byåsen IL 1:17:19
2. Sjur Røthe, Voss IL 1:17:20
3. Martin Johanson, IFKMora ski 1:18:33
4. Vebjørn Turtveit, Voss IL 1:20:16
5. Gaute Kvåle, Røldal IL 1:20:21
6. Magnus Krog, Høydalsmo 1:22:03

More information HERE.

DH Slalom / XC Free Climb – 15. April 2012

Women
1. Andrine Flemmen
2. Tuva Toftdal Staver, +16
3. Kristin Helland Hansen, + 1.09
4. Charlotte Kalla, + 2.09
5. Karina Birkelund, + 2.54
6. Mari Eide, +3.03
7. Marit Bjørgen
8. Ingvild Skare Thygesen
9. Therese Johaug
10. Martine Ek Hagen

Top 3 fastest times
1. Therese Johaug 15:39.6
2. Charlotte Kalla 16:15.4
3. Martine Ek Hagen 16:30.8

4. Marit Bjørgen 16:42.5

Men
1. Anders ,
2. Mikko Kokslien, +33
3. Harald Astrup Arnesen, + 55
4. Vebjørn Turtveit, + 1.08
5. Stian Sverdrup Lilleeng, + 1.22
6. Jørgen Graabak, + 1.37
7. Bård Thuren Høgheim,
8. Jean-Marc Gaillard
9. Gudmund Storlien
10. Øystein Pølsa Pettersen

Other skiers
12. Sjur Røthe
14. Petter Northug jr.
15. Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset
18. Eirik Brandsdal

Top 3 fastest times

1. Chris Andre Jespersen, 13.54.8
2. Anders Gløersen, 14.33.1
3. Sjur Røthe, 14.38.7

11. Petter Northug jr. 15.45.0

March 17, 2011 (Stockholm, Sweden) – Here are some great photos from yesterday’s Royal Palace Sprint in Stockholm won by Petra Majdic (SLO) and Emil Joensson (NOR). With their victories, Joensson and Majdic sewed up the respective men’s and women’s 2011 World Cup Sprint titles, as the series now heads into the final weekend in Falun, Sweden. The USA’s Kikkan Randall claimed third overall in the women’s Sprint Series – read more here on the women’s race and here for the men’s race.